Terminal box and service cable inventory systems for cable television service and the like

ABSTRACT

A terminal box is provided for orderly distribution of TV coaxial cable with coupling connectors to multiple output cable connectors known in the art as splitters which are each connectable and disconnectable for different locations, such as to serve positively designated apartments in large or small buildings. The splitters are mounted in a terminal box on a suitable terminal board in predetermined spaced positions and each service cable lead to and from such splitters is positively identified for each apartment and for each location in each apartment when one or more service outlets are desired for an apartment. The terminal box is marked and formed with openings for each cable to aid in the in-field inventory and installation of the respective service cable drops and is uniquely adapted to be placed in readily accessible locations known to the installer, effecting substantial savings in time and labor.

United States Patent Charles W. Fribley, Jr.

Canada Road, Painted Post, N.Y. 14870 [21 Appl. No. 47,365

[22] Filed June 18, 1970 [45] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [72] Inventor [54]TERMINAL BOX AND SERVICE CABLE INVENTORY SYSTEMS FOR CABLE TELEVISIONCl/IIWMEQ 020/ LINES Primary ExaminerLaramie E. Askin Attorney-Birch andBirch ABSTRACT: A terminal box is provided for orderly distribution ofTV coaxial cable with coupling connectors to multiple output cableconnectors known in the art as splitters which are each connectable anddisconnectable for different locations, such as to serve positivelydesignated apartments in large or small buildings. The splitters aremounted in a terminal box on a suitable terminal board in predeterminedspaced positions and each service cable lead to and from such splittersis positively identified for each apartment and for each location ineach apartment when one or more service outlets are desired for anapartment. The terminal box is marked and formed with openings for eachcable to aid in the in-field inventory and installation of therespective service cable drops and is uniquely adapted to be placed inreadily accessible locations known to the installer, effectingsubstantial savings in time and labor.

PATENTED um 5 mm SHEET 2 BF 5 INVENTOR T. V. CABLE SERVICE TERMINAL BOXAND SERVICE CABLE INVENTORY SYSTEMS FOR CABLE TELEVISION SERVICE AND THELIKE With the advent of coaxial cable television service andparticularly in apartment developments, the need for neat and orderlyarrangements of the subscriber service cables has been long felt in theart. This is particularly important when a subscriber may want only oneoutlet at his first order for service, but may later request additionalservice connections to different locations within his residence.

Accordingly, an important object of the present invention is to providea novel terminal box system with each service drop identified, wherebywhen an apartment or the like is prewired for a first single outletinstallation the service drop can be immediately identified at thetenninal box location to facilitate the installation of additionalservice drops and outlets. as the customer requests such service, with aminimum of time and labor.

Another object is to provide a terminal box formed with rear, side, topand bottom walls in which is conformably mounted a terminal board ofsuitable material, such as plastic formed with character identifiedcable slots or grooves therein, the latter coacting with aperturesformed in rows in the bottom wall to identify the service drops to thevarious locations within an apartment building.

Yet another object is to provide means for accommodation of at leastanother cable outlet for each department by forming the spacedrespective rows of apertures into an elongated slot for such additionalcable when needed.

Still another object is to provide for saving in space and cablejumbling by providing each apartment unit with loop through tenninalboards, where use in apartment houses involving extreme congestion inwiring makes it more feasible to bring back only one cable from eachapartment to the terminal box rather than providing a plurality ofcables for respective ones of a like plurality of individual outlets inone apartment.

A more general object is to provide a terminal box of waterproofconstruction with a pivoted cover and security lock means for simplifiedin-the-field connections with readily visible identifications for eachand every service drop to each and every apartment.

Yet another object is to provide a novel system of record control forcable TV service terminal boxes and the like for apartment buildings byproviding records and legends in such terminal boxes to indicate roomlocations in individual apartments for in-field inventory control and byproviding related reference records in the main ofiice of an apartmentbuilding and of the cable TV service organization.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the course of thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanydrawings wherein:

FIG. I is a front view of the present invention withthe front coverremoved showing the terminal board therein, the location of the cablesplitter devices on the terminal board and the identified openings,grooves and mounting areas for the service outlet cables from thesplitter devices.

FIG. 2 is a side vertical cross section view of FIG. 1 taken on line 22;

FIG. 3 is a transverse horizontal cross section view on line 3-3 of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the terminal box in elevation with the coverapplied and latched to the bottom wall of the box,

FIG. 5 is a front view of the terminal box cover;

F IG. 6 is a perspective with the cover removed of a terminal box of thepresent invention with illustrative wiring as used in actual practice;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a terminal box of the present invention, withcover removed and splitters removed, for a loopthrough arrangementwherein only a single service drop or cable is connected with eachservice area;

FIG. 8 is a vertical section view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7, butwith the cover in place;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal box of FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a terminal board cover plate label fordesignating the splitter cable connection for eight positive controlapartment outlets including designations for multiple room outlets;

FIG. 11 is an inside cover label showing legends for various rooms inapartments and the like for use with terminal board cover plate labelssuch as that shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 12 shows a terminal board cover plate label for a l2 outletloop-through cable distribution inventory;

FIG. I3 shows an office inventory control sheet coordinated with themultiple service drop cover plate label of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 14-shows an office inventory control sheet coordinated with theloop-through service drop cover plate label of FIG. 12.

Referring in detail to the drawings and first with reference to FIGS.1-5, the terminal box 20 of the present invention comprises a cover 22lapped over the rim 24 of a terminal board retainer tray 26 formed ofside and top walls 28 and a bottom wall 30 surrounding a base wall 32.The bottom wall 30 is formed with a plurality of indicia marked cableports 34 arranged in rows for containing and identifying service cablesto each apartment as hereinafter described.

The cable ports 34 may be in spaced rows and identified by letters A, B,C, as shown in FIG. 4, to indicate cable service drop connections fromthe terminal box to service outlets for each apartment unit to beserviced from the terminal box 20.

An additional pair of cable ports 34A are provided to receive a mainsignal input lead and a ground lead as will be hereinafter more fullydescribed.

In the base of the retaining tray, coextensive with the base wall 32thereof, is a terminal board TB of plastic foam or the like having araised flat portion TBI extending from the bottom end wall 30 toa-demarcation line approximately onethird of the distance to the top endwall 28, a lower flat support area TB2 extending the majority of theremaining distance from the upper end wall 28 to a point of demarcationadjacent the raised flat portion TBl thereof, and a ramp portion T83joining the raised fiat portion TBI with the lower flat portion TB2.

The rear face of the lower flat portion T82 is fluted as defined by aplurality of longitudinal parallel ribs R, generally shown in FIG. 2, toconserve the needed amount of foam insulation without loss of strengthin that portion of the tenninal board TB.

The terminal board TB is solid in cross section over the ramp portionT83 and raised fiat portion TBI.

In this solid cross section, in alignment with the respective rows ofcable ports 34, one for each such row, grooves or cable guide slots36-38-40-42-44-46-48-50-52-54 are cut or otherwise formed, the guideslot 44 being shown in dotted lines in FIG. 2 and all of the guide slots36-54 being shown in FIG. 3. v

A plurality of cable splitter means 56-58-60-62-64 are mounted on theobverse face of the lower fiat portion TB2 of the terminal board TB. Thesplitters 56-64 are shown in a Christmas tree configuration in theembodiment of FIGS. 1-5, but may be in any suitable arrangementdepending upon the number of output service drops to be effected fromthe input service cable to the terminal box 20.

It should be noted at this point, that the cable guide slots 36-54, asbest shown by the configuration of the guide slot 44 shown in FIG. 2,extend through the transitional and raised flat portions T83 and TB] ofthe tenninal board TB to a plane lower than the obverse surface of thelower flat portion TB2. However, the guide slot 44 is not abruptlystepped down from the obverse surface of the lower flat portion TB2. Itincludes a transitional ramp TRl extending from said obverse surface tothe lowermost surface of the guide slot 44 see FIG. 2 to permit a smoothfeed of service cables (not shown) from the cable splitters 56-64 intothe guide slots 36-54. as will be hereinafter more fully described. Sucha transitional ramp TRl is included in each of the guide slots 36-54.

The raised flat portion TB! of the terminal board TB is substantiallycovered over by a flat reference plate RP which is glued or otherwiseafiixed to the terminal board TB for the twofold purpose of closing themajor portion of the cable guide slots 36-54 and for receiving fieldinventory labels to be hereinafter more fully described.

An amplifier module 66 is also mounted within the tray 26 on the obversesurface of lower terminal board portion TB2.

The terminal box cover 22 is made to overlap and enclose the rim 24 ofthe terminal board retaining tray 26 and includes atop flange member 22A(see FIG. 2) that laps over and engages a cooperating rib 26A on theadjacent overlapped surface of the tray 26 to function as a transversehinge 22A-26A about which the cover 22 may be pivoted vertically toremove same from the retaining tray 26. The lower end wall of the cover22 carries a lock means, such as a hasp 228 which engages over a hasploop 268 on the retainer tray 26. This inhibits unauthorized use of theterminal box and terminal board connections, cable splitters andassociated components by securely retaining the cover 22 in place on theterminal box 20.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a terminal box 20 of the type previouslydescribed with reference to FIGS. 1-5 is shown with the cover removedand a plurality of service drops or cables SC therein connected betweenthe terminals of the amplifier module 66, the signal splitters 56-64,and out through the cable guide slots 36-54.

Specifically, a main power input cable SCP and a ground wire SCG areshown entering the input cable ports 34A and being connected to thelower end (input) of the amplifier module 66. A main signal input cableSCI extends through the cable guide slot 54 into connection with theinput terminal 66A of the amplifier 66.

The output terminal 668 of the amplifier module 66 is connected by anoutput cable C2 to the input terminal 56A of the first stage signalsplitter 56. There are four output terminals 568-648 and an inputterminal 56A-64A on each of the splitters 56-64 shown in thisconfiguration, as most clearly shown on the splitter 58A, one of thesecond stage splitters 58-64 as 58A and 58B.

The four first stage output service cables from the first stage splitter56 are designated SC58, SC60, SC62 and SC64, respectively, designatingthose second stage splitters 58-64 to the input terminals 58A-64A ofwhich these first stage output service cables are connected.

All of the remaining cables are designated as customer service dropsSCD, extending from various selected output terminals 58B-64B throughthe cable guide slots 38-54 and thence to various apartments or rooms ofsubscribing customers in the building in which the terminal box islocated.

As an example of the indexing provided for service and maintenance menby the present invention, the two left-hand customer service drops SCDAand SCDB are shown in stacked configuration in the cable guide slot 38.

The cable guide slot 38 is code keyed to the cable ports 34 with line A(SCDA) being the bottom service cable therein and line B (SCDB) beingthe next highest service cable therein stacked on line A (SCDA).Provision is made for a third line C to be stacked on top of the line B(SCDB) beneath the reference plate RP in the guide slot 38.

Each cable guide slot 36-54 represents the ultimate available number ofservice drops for a given service area such as an apartment unit withina building serviced by the terminal box 20.

Referring jointly to FIGS. 6 and 10, in order to provide, at a glance. acomplete inventory, in the field, of the cable service effected by agiven terminal box 20, an inventory label IL is symmetrically positionedon the reference plate RP, such that a plurality of ledger spaces areavailable in vertical rows 70, the latter being of like number to thecable guide slots 36-54 in registry therewith.

Thus, each service cable drop SCD in a given guide slot 36-54 iscompletely identified by line number. apartment number. andsubdesignation A, B and/or C for that apartment. Provision is also madefor identifying at a glance the authorized (subscribed) number ofoutlets in any given apartment.

Referring for the moment to FIG. 4, in addition to FIGS. 6 and 10, itshould be noted that the cable ports 34 may be cut through to form asingle elongated slot 348, shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4, whereby oneadditional service drop is made available for each apartment unit ifdesired.

The lowermost ledger space 68A in the master column 70A (leftmostcolumn) on the inventory label IL is provided such that a line D may bedesignated where needed and those apartments having a like plurality ofservice drops SCD readily identified at a glance.

Furthermore, the lowermost portion of the inventory label IL providessuch pertinent information to service personnel as the Building Number,Address, Model Number, Box Number, Pole/Station Number, Street and theservice mark, trademark or trade name XYZ of the service company orterminal box manufacturer involved.

Thus, the inventory label IL and terminal box 20 of the presentinvention provide a complete in-field inventory of all servicesubscribed to at any given terminal box.

This permits instant verification against tampering oi spurious servicedrop connections by unauthorized persons as well as enhancing theability of the service man in the field to locate specific problems ofsubscribers by having an instant infield inventory and identification ofeach and every customer service drop SCD.

This inventory control is completed by the provision of an inside coverlabel CL, see FIG. 11, and an office inventory control sheet ICS, seeFIG. 13.

Referring first to FIG. 11, the cover label CL is shown as includingcompatible local address information to the inventory labels IL (FIGS. 6and 10) as well as television channel identification 72; relative signalstrengths 74 for these channels, columnated in registry with the channelidentification 72; provision for dates of inspection 76; and a glossaryof symbols 78 for terms to be used in identifying the locations ofvarious service outlets in a given apartment or subscriber module.

Referring to FIG. 13, it can now be seen that the office inventorycontrol sheet ICS, maintained at the central office of a cabletelevision service company or the like, contains the same information asthe two in-field inventory labels (inventory label IL and cover labelCL) at each individual terminal box, in a multiple terminal box format.

While shown as a control sheet for tow terminal boxes, this need not bethe limiting number on any given office control sheet ICS. The numbermay be determined by the requirements of the particular service companyutilizing the system of the present invention.

The Loop-Through Terminal Box System The foregoing system and terminalbox 20 are adapted primarily for cable service systems in which morethan one direct service cable drop SCD is anticipated for each apartmentor service module.

There are many instances, however, where it is more feasible and oftennecessary to connect only one service cable drop SCD to such servicemodules and then use a loop-through technique within that module. Thistechnique comprises the utilization of a single service drop to drivemore than one service outlet in the service module.

Accordingly, other embodiments of the terminal box 20. inventory labelIL and ofiice inventory control sheet [C5 are contemplated whichcomprise a loop-through cable sen-ice system under the presentinvention.

Referring to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, a terminal box is shown as having anoverlapping cover structure 122 mounted over and enclosing the rim 124of a terminal board retaining tray 126 in substantially identical mannerto the embodiments of FIGS. 1-6.

The tray 126 includes a coextensive terminal board T84 having a ribbedportion R1 over the major portion of the rear face thereof adjacent thebottom wall of the retainer tray 126 in substantially the identicalmanner as the lower flat portion TB2 of the terminal board TB of FIGS.I-6.

The obverse face of the terminal board TB4 is all in the same plane,however, and cable guide slots 136-138-140-142-144-NP-148-l50-152-154-156-158 are provided in the obverse facethereof as shown in the lowermost portions of FIGS. 7 and 8, the guideslot 144 being shown, by dashed lines, in side elevation in FIG. 8.

Since only one service cable drop is to be passed through each of theguide slots 136-158, the said slots may be made with a more abrupttransitional step or ramp TRl than in the previous embodiments.

A reference plate RPI is fixedly mounted over the cable guide slots136-158 and the lowermost wall 130 of the retainer tray 126 is providedwith a plurality of cable ports 134 in registry with the respectiveguide slots 136-158 in similar manner to the cable ports 34 of theprevious embodiments.

The same hinge and hasp structure are to be provided in this embodimentfor the terminal box 120 as were previously described with reference toFIGS. 1-5.

The in-field inventory of the present invention is accomplished by theinventory label ILl of FIG. 12, the inside cover "labelCL of FIG. 11 andthe office inventory control sheet ICSI of FIG. 14.

Thus, the inside cover label CL is identical for both embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 12, the inventory label 1L1 is shown as includingservice cable drop identifying columns 170, master column 170A andledger spaced 168 as in he previous inventory label IL. A line 180 foridentifying the service module (apartment no.) is also provided for withanother space 182 for indicating the number of outlets present in eachloopthrough service drop.

There are a multiplicity of ledger spaces 168 below the line 182designating the number of outlets so that the location of each outletmay be indicated by the key code on the inside cover label CL.

The remaining information on the lower portion of the inventory labelILI is identical to that on he previously described inventory label IL.

Referring to FIG. 14, the office inventory control sheet ICSI is shownas including the same information as a plurality of associated pairs ofin-field inventory labels [L1 and inside cover labels CL, in similarformat to the previously described office inventory control sheet ICS ofFIG. 14. This information bears like designations to that previouslydesignated in FIGS. 11 and 12.

Thus there is provided a foolproof time and work saving arrangement forcable television service to buildings, such as apartment houses, whereinan equal and balanced distribution of signal is made to every apartmentoutlet and which provides an orderly and easily visible inventory, inthe field, of the one or more service cable drops to each and everyapartment or service module.

Also, because the service terminal box is located in accessiblelocations, the installer may make connections or disconnections withoutthe necessity to climb poles or to electrically trace out drops at thesplice box.

Without further description it is believed that the advantages of thepresent invention over prior cable splicing systems are readilyapparent.

What is claimed is:

I. For use in cable television service and the like, terminal box meansproviding optimum organization and inventory of multiple cable servicedrops effected through signal splitters from a signal input cable,comprising:

a terminal board of insulating material;

a tray-shaped receptacle for said terminal board retaining said board inthe bottom thereof and having upstanding side portions surrounding saidterminal board;

a plurality of substantially parallel cable guide slots formed 5 in oneend of said terminal board for receiving at least a like plurality ofservice cables therein;

a like plurality of cable ports defined in one end wall of saidreceptacle adjacent to and in registry with respective ones of saidguide slots providing passage of service cables in and out of saidreceptacle;

a cover plate secured to said terminal board over a substantial portionof all of said guide slots and having a substantially smooth obversesurface; and

an inventory label secured to said obverse surface of said cover plateidentifying each guide slot and the destination of each service cableconfined therein and passing through the cable port correspondingthereto.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said terminal box furtherincludes an overlapping cover member hinged at one end to saidreceptacle and latched thereto at its other end.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said terminal box furtherincludes an overlapping cover member hinged at one end to saidreceptacle and latched thereto at its other end; and a code legend andsignal strength information label mounted internally of said covermember, said code leg end being keyed to said destination identificationon said inventory label.

4. The invention defined in claim I, wherein said terminal board is ofstepped cross section with said guide slots form coterminately in theraised portion of said cross section;

wherein said guide slots are shaped and proportioned to receive aplurality of service cables in a stacked configuration;and

wherein said cable ports are arranged such that a like plurality of suchports are oriented in a like stacked configuration in registry with eachsaid guide slot.

5. The invention defined in claim I, wherein said terminal board is ofstepped cross section with said guide slots form coterminately in theraised portion of said cross section;

wherein said guide slots are shaped and proportioned to receive aplurality of service cables in a stacked configuration;

wherein said cable ports are arranged such that a like plurality of suchports are oriented in a like stacked configuration in registry with eachsaid guide slot; and

wherein said terminal box further includes an overlapping cover memberhinged at one end to said receptacle and latched thereto at its otherend.

6. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said terminal board is ofstepped cross section with said guide slots form coterminately in theraised portion of said cross section;

wherein said guide slots are shaped and proportioned to receive aplurality of service cables in a stacked configuration;

wherein said cable ports are arranged such that a like plurality of suchports are oriented in a like stacked configuration in registry with eachsaid guide slot;

wherein said terminal box further includes an overlapping cover memberhinged at one end to said receptacle and latched thereto at its otherend; and

a code legend and signal strength information label mounted internallyof said cover member, said code legend being keyed to said destinationidentification on said inventory label.

7. Terminal means providing optimum organization and inventory ofmultiple service drop cable television service and the like comprising;

a terminal board of insulating material;

a tray-shaped receptacle for said terminal board retaining said board inthe bottom thereof and having upstanding side portions surrounding saidterminal board;

a plurality of substantially parallel cable guide slots fonned in oneend of said terminal board for receiving at least a like plurality ofservice cables therein;

a like plurality of cable ports defined in one end wall of saidreceptacle adjacent to and in registry with respective ones of saidguide slots providing passage of service cables in and out of saidreceptacle;

a cover plate secured to said terminal board over a substantial portionof all of said guide slots and having a substantially smooth obversesurface;

an inventory label secured to said obverse surface of said cover plateidentifying each guide slot and the destination of each service cableconfined therein and passing through the cable port correspondingthereto;

a main input signal cable extending through one of said cable ports intosaid receptacle;

at least one signal splitter means having an input terminal,

connected to the end of said main signal cable, and a plurality ofoutput terminals;

said signal splitter being mounted on the obverse surface of saidterminal board adjacent said cable guide slots; and

a plurality of service cable drops connected at one end to respectiveoutput terminals of said signal splitter means and passing through saidguide slots and said cable ports, beneath said cover plate and inventorylabel to the service destination indicated on said inventory label.

8. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said terminal box furtherincludes an overlapping cover member hinged at one end to saidreceptacle and latched thereto at its other end.

9. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said tenninal box furtherincludes an overlapping cover member hinged at one end to saidreceptacle and latched thereto at its other end; and a code legend andsignal strength information label mounted internally of said covermember, said code legend being keyed to said destination identificationon said inventory label.

10. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said terminal board is ofstepped cross section with said guide slots form coterrninately in theraised portion of said cross section;

wherein said guide slots are shaped and proportioned to receive aplurality of service cables in stacked configuration; and

wherein said cable ports are arranged such that a like plurality of suchports are oriented in a like stacked configuration in registry with eachsaid guide slot.

1 l. The invention defined in claim 10, wherein said terminal boardincludes a ramp surface between the stepped portions. said surfacebearing indicia coordinated with other indicia on said cable portsdesignating the order in which cables stacked in said guide slots areemitted through said cable ports.

12. The invention defined in claim 10, wherein said terminal boardincludes a ramp surface between the stepped portions, said surfacebearing indicia coordinated with other indicia on said cable portsdesignating the order in which cables stacked in said guide slots areemitted through said cable ports; and

wherein said guide slots are formed with the lowermost wall thereoflower than either obverse surface of said tenninal board and include atransitional ramp surface leading from said lowermost wall to the nexthighest portion of said obverse surface, the latter supporting saidsignal splitter means;

whereby a smooth transitional feed of said service cable drops iseffected from said splitter means into said guide slots.

1. For use in cable television service and the like, terminal box meansproviding optimum organization and inventory of multiple cable servicedrops effected through signal splitters from a signal input cable,comprising: a terminal board of insulating material; a tray-shapedreceptacle for said terminal board retaining said board in the bottomthereof and having upstanding side portions surrounding said terminalboard; a plurality of substantially parallel cable guide slots formed inone end of said terminal board for receiving at least a like pluralityof service cables therein; a like plurality of cable ports defined inone end wall of said receptacle adjacent to and in registry withrespective ones of said guide slots providing passage of service cablesin and out of said receptacle; a cover plate secured to said terminalboard over a substantial portion of all of said guide slots and having asubstantially smooth obverse surface; and an inventory label secured tosaid obverse surface of said cover plate identifying each guide slot andthe destination of each service cable confined therein and passingthrough the cable port corresponding thereto.
 2. The invention definedin claim 1, wherein said terminal box further includes an overlappingcover member hinged at one end to said receptacle and latched thereto atits other end.
 3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein saidterminal box further includes an overlapping cover member hinged at oneend to said receptacle and latched thereto at its other end; and a codelegend and signal strength information label mounted internally of saidcover member, said code legend being keyed to said destinationidentification on said inventory label.
 4. The invention defined inclaim 1, wherein said terminal board is of stepped cross section withsaid guide slots form coterminately in the raised portion of said crosssection; wherein said guide slots are shaped and proportioned to receivea plurality of service cables in a stacked configuration; and whereinsaid cable ports are arranged such that a like plurality of such portsare oriented in a like stacked configuration in registry with each saidguide slot.
 5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said terminalboard is of stepped cross section with said guide slots formcoterminately in the raised portion of said cross section; wherein saidguide slots are shaped and proportioned to receive a plurality ofservice cables in a stacked configuration; wherein said cable ports arearranged such that a like plurality of such ports are oriented in a likestacked configuration in registry with each said guide slot; and whereinsaid terminal box further includes an oVerlapping cover member hinged atone end to said receptacle and latched thereto at its other end.
 6. Theinvention defined in claim 1, wherein said terminal board is of steppedcross section with said guide slots form coterminately in the raisedportion of said cross section; wherein said guide slots are shaped andproportioned to receive a plurality of service cables in a stackedconfiguration; wherein said cable ports are arranged such that a likeplurality of such ports are oriented in a like stacked configuration inregistry with each said guide slot; wherein said terminal box furtherincludes an overlapping cover member hinged at one end to saidreceptacle and latched thereto at its other end; and a code legend andsignal strength information label mounted internally of said covermember, said code legend being keyed to said destination identificationon said inventory label.
 7. Terminal means providing optimumorganization and inventory of multiple service drop cable televisionservice and the like comprising; a terminal board of insulatingmaterial; a tray-shaped receptacle for said terminal board retainingsaid board in the bottom thereof and having upstanding side portionssurrounding said terminal board; a plurality of substantially parallelcable guide slots formed in one end of said terminal board for receivingat least a like plurality of service cables therein; a like plurality ofcable ports defined in one end wall of said receptacle adjacent to andin registry with respective ones of said guide slots providing passageof service cables in and out of said receptacle; a cover plate securedto said terminal board over a substantial portion of all of said guideslots and having a substantially smooth obverse surface; an inventorylabel secured to said obverse surface of said cover plate identifyingeach guide slot and the destination of each service cable confinedtherein and passing through the cable port corresponding thereto; a maininput signal cable extending through one of said cable ports into saidreceptacle; at least one signal splitter means having an input terminal,connected to the end of said main signal cable, and a plurality ofoutput terminals; said signal splitter being mounted on the obversesurface of said terminal board adjacent said cable guide slots; and aplurality of service cable drops connected at one end to respectiveoutput terminals of said signal splitter means and passing through saidguide slots and said cable ports, beneath said cover plate and inventorylabel to the service destination indicated on said inventory label. 8.The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said terminal box furtherincludes an overlapping cover member hinged at one end to saidreceptacle and latched thereto at its other end.
 9. The inventiondefined in claim 7, wherein said terminal box further includes anoverlapping cover member hinged at one end to said receptacle andlatched thereto at its other end; and a code legend and signal strengthinformation label mounted internally of said cover member, said codelegend being keyed to said destination identification on said inventorylabel.
 10. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said terminal boardis of stepped cross section with said guide slots form coterminately inthe raised portion of said cross section; wherein said guide slots areshaped and proportioned to receive a plurality of service cables instacked configuration; and wherein said cable ports are arranged suchthat a like plurality of such ports are oriented in a like stackedconfiguration in registry with each said guide slot.
 11. The inventiondefined in claim 10, wherein said terminal board includes a ramp surfacebetween the stepped portions, said surface bearing indicia coordinatedwith other indicia on said cable ports designating the order in whichcables stacked in said guide slots are emitted through said cable ports.12. The invention defined in claim 10, wherein said terminal boardincludes a ramp surface between the stepped portions, said surfacebearing indicia coordinated with other indicia on said cable portsdesignating the order in which cables stacked in said guide slots areemitted through said cable ports; and wherein said guide slots areformed with the lowermost wall thereof lower than either obverse surfaceof said terminal board and include a transitional ramp surface leadingfrom said lowermost wall to the next highest portion of said obversesurface, the latter supporting said signal splitter means; whereby asmooth transitional feed of said service cable drops is effected fromsaid splitter means into said guide slots.